No description available.

No description available.

In this thesis, the effect of interphase bonding on the cohesiveness of domain structure was addressed. The interchain attractive forces between rigid segments and the phase separation between hard and soft segments have been improved by introducing either urea groups or ionic units. The urea linkages have the possibility of extensive hydrogen bonding while ionic units interact with each other by coulombic interactions, which provide even stronger interchain associations than the hydrogen bonding effects. This thesis addressed the preparation and characterization of polytetrahydrofuran based segmented polyurethane-urea and ionene elastomers. The urea linkages were effectively introduced to the polyurethane elastomers through an unconventional route which was based on carbamate-isocyanate interactions. The carbamates were generated principally from isocyanate functional prepolymers and tertiary alcohols. The carbamates were rearranged thermally and/or catalytically to produce amines which were rapidly converted to ureas. The effects of varying the size of the rigid and flexible segments in polyurethane elastomers on physical behavior were investigated. The importance of hydrogen bonding interactions in promoting phase separation of hard and soft segments and the cohesiveness of hard segment domain structure was demonstrated. Living, difunctional polytetrahydrofuran dioxonium ions were prepared via triflic anhydride initiation. The direct coupling of these "living" polytetrahydrofuran dioxonium ions with a ditertiary amine was used to produce a novel segmented ionene elastomer. The ionenes thus synthesized displayed interesting solution behavior and could be molded, or cast to produce good physical properties. Photochromic as well as thermochromic phenomena were also noticed in these systems. / Ph. D.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1988.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1988.

No description available.

Thesis (DSc (Chemistry and Polymer Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / Aqueous polyurethane (PU) dispersions were synthesized for use in paper coatings. These PUs contained a polyester polyol soft segment (content of between 65 to 75%) and a urethane hard segment (content of between 30 to 35%). Triethylamine (TEA) was used as the neutralizing agent. The polyester polyol segment consisted of neopentyl glycol (NPG), adipic acid, 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid (1,4-CHDCA) and 2-phosphonobutane- 1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid (PBTCA), while the urethane hard segment consisted of toluene diisocyanate (TDI), dimethylolproponic acid (DMPA) and ethylene glycol (EG) as a chain extender for increasing the hard segment content. Waxes and fillers were incorporated into the PU coating mixtures to investigate their effect on the barrier properties of the PU. Two types of fillers were used: nano-fillers and micro-fillers. The nano-fillers used included the Cloisite nano-clays NC15A, NC93A and NC30B, and the micro-fillers used included talc, kaolin clay and barium sulfate. Two different polyester polyols were synthesized: one containing a phosphate and the other containing no phosphate. The polyols were characterized in terms of their acid value, hydroxyl value and molecular mass. The PUs synthesized from the polyol containing no phosphate showed unfavourable barrier properties compared to results achieved with the phosphate-containing PU. The PU dispersions were applied to paperboard, and then dried at a maximum temperature of 130oC for 15 to 60 seconds, depending on the coating volume. The PU-coated paperboard was characterized primarily by determining the moisture vapour transmission rate (MVTR), and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). PU films (stand alone, not supported by paper) were prepared by heating the concurrent PU dispersion in Teflon holders over three different temperature stages (60, 90 and 120oC) for about 2 days. The dried films were then characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The PU coatings showed self-assembly properties, which were affected primarily by the ionic content (comprising of DMPA, PBTCA and excess TEA) and emulsion viscosity. These self-assembly properties were analyzed by static contact angle (SCA) and MVTR measurements. It was found that the final coating properties were affected by the self-assembly mechanism of the PU. Generally, the phosphated PU coatings had lower MVTR values than the non-phosphated PU coatings. SEM analysis showed that the phosphated PU coatings had no pinholes, while the non-phosphated PU coatings had pinholes. DMA analysis showed that the phosphated PUs had higher Tg values than the non-phosphated PUs. Further, the inclusion of the phosphate monomer increased the emulsion stability and the compatibility between the hard and soft segments of the PU. Also, the exfoliated PU nanocomposites at 1% filler loading gave much better MVTR results compared to the PU microcomposites. It also rendered the coating to be non-blocking, with minimal change in MVTR.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Aqueous polyurethane (PU) dispersions were synthesized for the use in paper coatings. These PUs contained a polyester polyol soft segment (content of 60-70%) and a urethane hard segment (content of 30-40%). This was followed by grafting using four different grafting agents. Triethylamine (TEA) was used as the neutralizing agent. The polyester polyol segment consisted of neopentyl glycol (NPG), adipic acid, 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid (1,4-CHOCA) and 2-phosphonobutane-1 ,2,4- tricarboxylic acid (PSTCA), while the urethane hard segment consisted of hydrogenated 4,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, dimethylolproponic acid (OMPA), 3-hydroxypivalic acid (HPA) and hydroxyethylene methacrylate (HEMA). The grafting agents used were lauryl methacrylate (LMA), n-butyl methacrylate (n-SMA), methyl methacrylate (MMA) and styrene. Two different polyester polyols were synthesized, one containing 10% phosphate and the other none. The polyols were characterized in terms of their acid value, hydroxyl value and molecular mass. The PUs synthesized from the polyol containing 0% phosphate were grafted with LMA, while the phosphate-containing PUs were grafted with each of the all four grafting agents. The resulting dispersions were applied to paperboard, and then dried at a maximum temperature of 100°C. The PU-coated paperboard was characterized using the moisture vapour transmission rate (MVTR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. PU films (not supported by paper, stand alone) were prepared by heating the PU dispersion in Teflon holders up to 130°C for 6 hours. The dried films were then characterized by thermogravimatric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (OSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (OMA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). MVTR-analysis showed that the phosphated PU coatings had a minimum MVTR-value at 0% grafting, and that its overall MVTR-values were much lower than that of the non-phosphated PU coatings. SEM-analysis showed that the phosphated PU coatings had no pinholes at a maximum of 8% grafting, while the non-phosphated PU coatings showed pinholes at all levels of grafting. OMA-analysis showed that the phosphated PU samples had higher Tg's (Tg onset between O-S°C)than that of the non-phosphated PU samples (Tgonset below -SO°C). / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: POLI-URETAAN DISPERSIES VIR PAPIER BEDEKKINGS Waterige poli-uretaan (PU) dispersies is gesintetiseer vir gebruik as papierbedekkings. Hierdie poli-uretane het 'n poliester poli-ol sagte segment (60-70% inhoud) en 'n uretaan harde segment (30-40% inhoud) bevat. Die poli-uretane is met vier verskillende ent-middels geêent. Trietielamien (TEA) is as neutraliseermiddel gebruik. Die poli-ester poli-ot segment het bestaan uit: neopentielglikol (NPG), adipiensuur, 1,4-sikloheksaandikarboksielssuur (1,4- SHDKS) en 2-fosfonobutaan-1 ,2,4-trikarboksielssuur (FSTKS). Die uretaan harde segment het bestaan uit: hidrogeneerde 4,4-difenielmetaandiisosianaat, dimetielpropioonsuur (DMPS), 3-hidroksipivaalsuur (HPS) en hidroksietileenmetakrilaat (HEMA). Laurielmetakrilaat (LMA), n-butielmetakrilaat (n-SMA), metielmetakrilaat (MMA) en stireen is as entmiddels gebruik. Twee verskillende poli-ester polihidroksie verbindings is gesintetiseer: een met 10% fosfaat en een met geen fosfaat, en gekarakteriseer in terme van hulle suurwaardes, hidroksiwaardes en molekulêre massas. Die PUs wat vanaf die fosfaat-bevattende poli-ol gesintetiseer is, is met LMA geêent, terwyl die fosfaat-bevattende PUs met al vier entmiddels geêent is. Papier (Eng. paperboard) is met hierdie dispersies bedek en by 100°C gedroog. Die PU-bedekte papier is gekarakteriseer in terme van vogdeurlaatbaarheidstransmissie (Eng: MVTR - the moisture vapour transmission rate), en skandeerelektonmikroskopie (SEM). PU-films wat nie deur papier gestut is nie is ook voorberei deur die verhitting van die PU dispersies in Teflon houers (130°C, 6 ure). Die droë films is daarna gekarakteriseer deur middel van termogravimetriese analise (TGA), differensiêle skandeerkalorimetrie (DSC), dinamiese meganiese analise (OMA) en Fourier-transformasie infrarooispektroskopie (FTIR). Resultate van MVTR analises het getoon dat die fosfaat-bevattende PU bedekkings 'n mimimum MVTR-waarde by 0% enting gehad het, en dat die totale MVTR waardes baie laer was as die van die nie-fosfaatbevattende bedekkings. SEM het gewys dat die fosfaat-PU bedekkings by 8% enting geen mikrogaatjies (Eng. pinholes) gehad net nie, terwyl die PU bedekings met geen fosfaat mikrogaatjies (Eng. pinholes) by alle vlakke van enting gehad het. OMA analises het getoon dat die monsters van die fosfaatbevattende PU hoër Tg waardes gehad het (Tg begin tussen 0 en 5 "C) as die nie-fosfaatbevattende PU monsters (Tg begin onder -50°C).

INTRODUÇÃO: O tratamento cirúrgico das estenoses uretrais com enxertos limita-se ao emprego de materiais orgânicos, mais freqüentemente autoenxertos. O sucesso no uso de biomateriais sintéticos em diferentes áreas da medicina motivou a pesquisa desses materiais na reconstrução uretral. A informação de que o uso de prótese mamária de silicone recoberta com espuma de poliuretano revelou menor retração cicatricial que as próteses convencionais e o fato desses polímeros já serem empregados como elastômero na confecção de cateteres urinários, levou à escolha deste material para estudo. MÉTODOS: Foi realizada a ressecção de segmento dorsal da uretra anterior de 20 coelhos machos NZW. O defeito uretral foi tratado com o implante no leito uretral dorsal de uma placa não tubularizada de silicone, revestida externamente com espuma de poliuretano (Si-Pu). Como controle foi confeccionado o grupo Sham (GS) com 12 animais. Este grupo foi submetido à uretrotomia dorsal longitudinal e uretrorrafia, sem qualquer tipo de implante. As análises foram feitas com 2, 4, 8 e 24 semanas após a cirurgia. Analisaram-se alterações da circunferência da uretra e complicações cirúrgicas. Fez-se estudo histológico com coloração de Tricrômico de Mason, Hematoxilina-eosina e Picrosírirus red. Foram avaliadas: intensidade e características da resposta inflamatória, espessura da parede da uretra (edema) e concentração do colágeno na submucosa da uretra. Foi realizada análise microbiológica e pesquisa de incrustação do implante por termogravimetria. Os achados foram comparados com os dados de três coelhos que não sofreram qualquer intervenção. RESULTADOS: Não foram encontradas fístulas, estenoses, obstrução, calcificação, retração cicatricial ou deiscências. Ocorreu expulsão do implante em 1/5 dos animais após 4 semanas, em 2/5 com 8 semanas e em 3/5 com 24 semanas. Não houve redução da circunferência da uretra na comparação entre os grupos Experimental (GE) e GS, exceto para o intervalo de 8 semanas. Ocorreu infecção do sítio cirúrgico em 11 de 12 animais do GS e em 13 de 20 animais do GE. As bactéria mais comumente encontradas foram Staphylococcus DNAse negativa (9/32) e Escherichia coli (5/32). A presença de infecção por Enterobacter cloacae foi acompanhada de menor ganho de peso pelos animais (P=0,02), fato não observado na infecção com outras bactérias. A circunferência uretral foi maior (P=0,006) na vigência de infecção por Staphylococcus do que nas amostras estéreis. A histologia do GE mostrou processo inflamatório severo e substituição das fibras musculares da lâmina própria por colágeno com regressão do edema e das células inflamatórias, tardiamente. No GS ocorreu deposição tardia de colágeno e inflamação leve, porém constante. Houve re-epitelização da uretra nos dois grupos. A concentração de colágeno na área manipulada foi maior apenas na comparação entre os GE e GS com 24 semanas (P<0,001). O edema da parede uretral foi maior no GE que no GS nos intervalos de 2 semanas e de 4 semanas com P<0,001, e após 8 semanas com P<0,05. Após 24 semanas não se verificou diferença entre as espessuras da submucosa. Na análise descritiva da termogravimetria observou-se incrustação de material orgânico no implante, que não se mostrou significante estatisticamente na análise quantitativa de perda de massa. A incrustação de material inorgânico ao implante foi desprezível. CONCLUSÕES: O uso do Si-Pu leva à formação de cápsula colágena que permite a re-epitelização da uretra sem ocasionar retração local, funcionando como um biomolde, porém a expulsão do implante limita seu uso / BACKGROUND: Actually, the treatment of urethral stenosis employs biological grafts, usually autologous grafts. The success with synthetic biomaterials in others medical specialtys motivated the search of these materials in urethral reconstruction. The knowledge about the silicone mamarian prosthesis covered with polyurethane foam reduces capsular contracture in breast implants and because these polymers are already used in the urinary tract like catheters make the choice for these materials. METHODS: The resection of dorsal segment of anterior urethra of 20 male rabbits NZW was carried through. The urethral defect was treated with the on lay dorsal graft in urethra, compound a silicone not tabularized, coated with polyurethane foam in one face (Si-Pu). The control group (sham) was confectioned with 12 animals was submitted to longitudinal dorsal uretrotomy and suture, without any type of implantation (SG). The analyses intervals were 2, 4, 8 and 24 weeks after surgery. The circumference of urethra and surgical complications had been analyzed. Material for histological evaluation was stained with Massons thrichrome, hematoxylin and eosin and Picrosirius red. Intensity and characteristics of the inflammatory response, thickness of the urethra (oedema) and concentration of the collagen in the submucosa had been evaluated. Still, was performed microbiological analysis and research of implants incrustation with thermogravimetry. The findings had been compared with the data of three rabbits that had not suffered any intervention. RESULTS: The morfological analysis not founded fistula, obstruction, stenosis, cicatricial retraction, calcification and dehiscence. The graft was extruded after 4 weeks in 1/5 of the animals, in 2/5 after 8 weeks and after 24 weeks, 3/5 of the animals had failure of union with the surrounding tissue. Except for the interval of 8 weeks, It did not have urethral circumference reduction in the comparison between groups, Experimental (EG) and SG. Infection of the surgical place occurred in 11 of 12 animals of the GS and in 13 of 20 animals of EG. Staphylococcus DNAse-negative and Escherichia coli were the most frequent bacterium founded, and occurred in 9/32 and 5/32, respectively. The infection with Enterobacter cloacae was associated to lesser weight gain for the animals (P=0,02), fact not observed in infection with other bacteria. The Staphylococcus infection was associated to larger urethral circumference (P=0,006), when compared to sterile samples. The EG histological analysis showed early severe inflammatory process and substitution of smooth muscle fibers for collagen and regression of edema and inflammatory cells decrease laterly. Occurred delayed deposition of collagen and slight inflammation in the SG, however this process was constant. Was observed urothelial reepithelialization in both groups. The collagen concentration in urethral wall at surgical site was larger in EG with 24 weeks when compared to SG at same time (P< 0.001). There was significantly less urethral wall oedema in SG at 2 weeks, at 4 weeks (P< 0.001) and after 8 weeks (P< 0,05) than EG at the same time. After 24 weeks no difference was verified in submucosa thickness between the groups. The descriptive thermogravimetric analysis showed graft incrustation with organic material, however without statistic significance in quantitative analysis of mass loss. The inorganic graft incrustation was negligible. CONCLUSIONS: The use of Si-Pu implants in urethra originated a fibrous collagen capsule that allows reepitelialization without local contracture, like a biological skeleton. Nevertheless, grafts extrusion limits their clinical employment

In this investigation, polymer precursor of syntactic foam has been reinforced with SiC nanoparticles to enhance mechanical and fracture properties. Derakane 8084 vinyl ester resin was first dispersed with 1.0 wt% of SiC particles using a sonic cavitation technique. In the next step, 30.0 wt% of microspheres (3M hollow glass borosilicate, S-series) were mechanically mixed with the nanophased vinyl ester resin, and cast into rectangular molds. A small amount of styrene was used as dilutant to facilitate mixing of microspheres. The size of microspheres and SiC nanoparticles were 20-30 um and 30-50 nm, respectively. Tension, compression, and flexure tests were conducted following ASTM standards and a consistent improvement in strength and modulus within 20-35% range was observed. Fracture toughness parameters such as KIC and GIC were also determined using ASTM E-399. An improvement of about 11-15% was observed. Samples were also subjected to various environmental conditions and degradation in material properties is reported. / by Debdutta Das. / Thesis (M.S.C.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2009. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2009. Mode of access: World Wide Web.